Paving blocks

ABSTRACT

A paving block to produce an accurate, smooth upper surface and accurate spacing between joints in which the body of a block is provided with flanges flush with the top surface on two adjacent edges of the square block, and flanges flush with the bottom surface on the remaining two edges of the block, with studs projecting from the body of the block outwardly in the direction of the second flanges but being substantially shorter than the width of the flanges and lying in the rabbet for engagement with the first flanges of similar paving blocks to obtain a uniform spacing between the blocks which is filled with sand or gravel to produce a neat, uniform appearance. The studs may be separate elements driven into the block, or may be reinforcing rods extending completely through the block through the first flanges and projecting outwardly in the rabbet formed by the second flanges.

United States Patent 3,746,458 Allocca July 17, 1973 1 PAVING BLOCKS Primary ExaminerNile C. Byers, Jr. 70 Inventor: Nick 1). Allocca, 4228 Longfellow Jute St.,H t '11 ,M .2078] ya e d 57 ABSTRACT [22] F'led: 1971 A paving block to produce an accurate, smooth upper [21] App]. No.: 188,837 surface and accurate spacing between joints in which the body of a block is provided with flanges flush with the top surface on two adjacent edges of the square 52 vs. C]. 404/37 block and flanges flush the bottom Surface on [51] lltl. Cl. E016 5/00 remaining two edges of the block7 with Studs projecting [58] Field Of Search 94/11, 12, 13, 14 from the body of the block outwardly in the direction of the second flanges but being substantially shorter [56] References C'ted than the width of the flanges and lying in the rahbet for UNITED TA E PATE engagement with the first flanges of similar paving 726,506 4 1903 Capen 94 13 x blocks t tain a unif rm spacing between the blocks 1,156,117 10/l9l5 Warden 94/14 which is filled with sand or gravel to produce a neat, 1 10.954 1/1871 s n 94/14 X uniform appearance. The studs may be separate ele- 7/1927 51mm" 94/13 X ments driven into the block, or may be reinforcing rods 124,799 3/1872 Dyer 94/14 extending Completely through the block through the |478'995 12/1923 Underwood 94/] I first flanges and projecting outwardly in the rabbet 2,336,055 5/1958 Shuman 94/14 X formed b the second flan es 3,406,617 10/1968 Randazzo 94/13 y g 9 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures F m rl i I a i 1 p I l I 1 n P 1 I F. H i 1 i I ef *9 3| 3o 32 :10

L ----:-i I I i i i PAVING-BLOCKS Heretofore, paving blocks have been set in position by hand, requiring highly skilled labor to obtain a smooth upper surface to the finished pavement, and to obtain uniform spacing between adjacent paving 'blocks, and the present invention relates to this type of block through the provision of flanges on adjacent blocks forming rabbets which interengage to produce a smooth upper surface and with spacing means to provide uniform width joints which are filled with sand or cement grout, or the like.

Although paving blocks have been used from time immemorial, such paving blocks require the use of highly skilled workmen to produce smooth and accurate finished pavements, since they did not have provision for interengagement, or means to space the blocks from one another, and the present invention provides a simple patio block construction which can be used by any home owner to produce a professional-looking pavement. I

The paving block of the present invention is shown as being square with first flanges substantially flush with one surface of the body on adjacent edges forming first rabbets between the first flanges in the body, and having second flanges substantially flush with the other surface extending around the other two edges forming second rabbets between the second flanges and the body. Spacing elements of less length than the width of the flanges are positioned in spaced relation in the rabbets formed by thesecond flanges for engagement with the outer edges of the first flanges, and such spacing elements may be separate studs, or may be reinforcing bars extending completely through the paving block from substantially flush with the outer edges of the first flanges to the projecting points terminating approximately midway between the main body and the outer edges of the second flanges. Such paving blocks are placed in edge-tmedge relation with the flanges overlying one another and the projecting points of the spacing elements, or studs, accuratly determining the spacing between the body of one block and the adjacent flange of the adjacent block, and this space is filled with a cement grout, or with sand to provide the finished pavement.

Referring more particularly to the drawing,

FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a four paving block section of a patio;

FIG. 2 is an end elevation of the paving blocks of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view of a modified paving block showing a separate stud element for obtaining the speced relation;

FIG. 4 is an elevation of a toolfor inserting the studs shown in FIG. 3, with a portion of the tool broken away and showing a stud in phantom, ready to be inserted into the precast paving block.

Referring more particularly to the drawing, the paving blocks 1, 2, 3, and 4 are arranged inoperative relation, and since the blocks are substantially identical, block 3 will be described in detail. A flange I and a flange ll on adjacent edges of the block 3 have their outer surfaces substantially'flush with the outer surface of the block 3, forming rabbets l2 and .13, respectively. A second pair of flanges l4 and 15, substantially flush with the other surface of the block project outwardly from the body thereof, forming rabbets l6 and 17.

Reinforcing rods 18 and 19 extend completely through the flange 11 to substantially flush with the outer edge thereof and through the body of the block 3, and outwardly overlying the flange 15 with a stud portion 188 and a stud portion 198 projecting outwardly into the rabbet 16 but terminating short of the free edge of the flange 14.

Other reinforcing rods 20, 21 extend completely through the block from the outer edge of the flange 10, to a position overling the flange 15 with studs 20S and 21S projecting outwardly from the rabbet 17.

The corresponding flanges and rabbets of the other blocks are identified with the same reference numerals used on block 3, and block 4 is assumed to be identical with the reinforcing rods providing the studs to determine the spacing between adjacent paving blocks. Blocks 1 and 2 have the same arrangement of flanges and rabbets which are identified with the same references but the spacing elements are studs 30 shown in FIG. 3, and the reinforcing rods may be omitted, or other reinforcing arrangement can be used, such as wire mesh, or the like. The studs 30 include a sharpened projection 31, a collar 32, and a pin 33, with the spacing between the tip of the projection and the opposite surface of the collar corresponding to the extent of projection of the studs 18S and 218, with the pin 33 being sufficiently long to assure proper retention of the stud 30 in operative position.

After a pluralityof the paving blocks are arranged with the first flanges of one overlying the second flanges of another, and with the studs engaging the first flanges, the space in the rabbets 16 and I7 is filled with a groutmixture 40 and the exposed portion of the grout will appear as a uniform width strip defined by the body of one paving block and the adjacent flange of the cooperating paving block, andtherefore the finished paving will appear uniform and appear to be professionally laid. The bottom surface of the flange 10 and the upper surface of the flange l5 abut one another to produce the smooth level appearance between the adjacent blocks 3 and 4, and therefore there is no difficulty in precisely laying the blocks since it is only necessary to have a substantially flat earth or sand surface on which the blocks are laid in edge-to edge relation with the space betweenadjacent flanges and the body of the adjacent block providing for the acceptance of some earth material therebetween, so that small irregularities can be accommodated by sliding the paving block on the supporting earthor sand.

The paving blocks may be cast with the reinforcing rods in position and such reinforcing rods are shown as lying in the same plane and may be spot-welded together and the non-projecting ends may engagethe side of the mold so that the projecting portions of the studs 188 will always be accurately determined in advance, and such studs may engage the flush end of the correspondingrod on the adjacent paving block. However, the projecting studs are conical, and thereforetwill not be prevented from producing ,proper spacingaction due to a small amount of loose sand, or grout, orpebbles which may fall into the groove, and it is not essential that the studserigage any particular spot on thecooperating flange since the studs may engagethe flush end of ;the reinforcingarods or any-portion of theedge Thestuds 30 maybe inserted while the cement is green and before it has completely hardened by means of a tool 50, for example. Such tool 50 includes a studreceiving opening 51 for receiving the projecting portion 31 of the stud and the pin 33 of the stud may be driven into the body of the paving block for the use of an impact tool such as a hammer, or the like, but when the concrete of the block is green, the studs may be inserted with a small amount of force by any suitable tool, or by any suitable method.

It is also contemplated using adhesive to secure the collars 32 in position with or without the use of the pin 33.

It will be apparent that changes may be made within the spirit of the invention as defined by the valid scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A paving block for accurate location with respect to substantially identical other paving blocks comprising a polygonal flat body having first flanges substantially flush with one surface of the body on adjacent edges around substantially half the periphery forming first rabbets between the first flanges and the body, and having second flanges substantially flushflush with the other surface extending around substantially the other half of the periphery forming second rabbets between thesecond flanges and the body so that identical paving blocks may be placed in edge-to-edge relation with the flanges of one surface received in the rabbets formed by the flanges on the other surface overlying the flanges of the other surface, and spacing elements with pointed ends protruding outwardly from the body overlying the second flanges but of less protruding dimension than the width of the second flange to engage the edges of the first flanges of an identical block to provide a uniform spacing between the body and the second flanges to be filled with sand or grout, the flanges providing for substantially abutting inner face-to-face contact to obtain a smooth upper surface in a patio paved with such paving blocks and said pointed ends preventing obstruction by large particles between the points and the adjacent block when one block is positioned adjacent another in proper spaced relation.

2. The invention according to claim 1, in which the spacing elements are projections of reinforcing rods extending through the paving block and projecting in overlying relation to the second flanges, whereby the I projecting ends of the rods engage the first flanges of similar blocks to maintain the accurate desired spacing between adjacent paving blocks.

3. The invention according to claim 1, in which the spacing elements are studs having collars engaging the body of the paving block with the studs extending over the second flanges and terminating short of the edges of the second flanges, and means to secure the studs and collars in position.

4. The invention according to claim 3, in which the studs and collars are provided with a pin adapted to be driven into the body of the block to maintain the studs in proper spacing relation 5. The invention according to claim 4, in which the block is rectangular, and each flange has a thickness substantially half the thickness of the paving block.

6. The invention according to claim 5, in which the paving block is square.

7. The method of making a paving block pavement to obtain uniform spacing for accurate location with respect to substantially identical other paving blocks comprising forming a polygonal flat body having first flanges substantially flush with one surface of the body on adjacent edges around substantially half the periphery thereby forming first rabbets between the first flanges and the body, and having second flanges substantially flush with the other surface extending around substantially the other half of the periphery forming second rabbets between the second flanges and the body so that identical paving blocks may be placed in edge-to-edge relation with the flanges of one surface received in the rabbets formed by the flanges on the other surface overlying the flanges of the other surface, providing spacing spacing elements with pointed ends secured to and protruding outwardly from the body overlying the second flanges but of less protruding dimension than the width of the second flanges to engage the edges of the first flanges of an identical block to provide a uniform spacing between the body and the second flanges to be filled with sand or grout, the flanges providing for substantially abutting inner face to face contact to obtain a smooth upper surface in a patio paved with such paving blocks, and said pointed ends preventing obstruction by large particles between the points and the adjacent block when one block is positioned adjacent another block in proper spaced relation.

8. The invention according to claim 7, in which the spacing elements are studs and include a collar and a projecting pin and are driven into position by a tool receiving the projecting studso that the spacing element may be driven in accurate relation to provide a fixed spacing between the inner surface of the collar and the tip of the projecting stud.

9. The invention according to claim 7 in which the paving block is made of concrete and the spacing elements are studs which are inserted into the concrete when the concrete is green and before the concrete completely hardens. 

1. A paving block for accurate location with respect to substantially identical other paving blocks comprising a polygonal flat body having first flanges substantially flush with one surface of the body on adjacent edges around substantially half the periphery forming first rabbets between the first flanges and the body, and having second flanges substantially flushflush with the other surface extending around substantially the other half of the periphery forming second rabbets between thesecond flanges and the body so that identical paving blocks may be placed in edge-to-edge relation with the flanges of one surface received in the rabbets formed by the flanges on the other surface overlying the flanges of the other surface, and spacing elements with pointed ends protruding outwardly from the body overlying the second flanges but of less protruding dimension than the width of the second flange to engage the edges of the first flanges of an identical block to provide a uniform spacing between the body and the second flanges to be filled with sand or grout, the flanges providing for substantially abutting inner face-to-face contact to obtain a smooth upper surface in a patio paved with such paving blocks and said pointed ends preventing obstruction by large particles between the points and the adjacent block when one block is positioned adjacent another in proper spaced relation.
 2. The invention according to claim 1, in which the spacing elements are projections of reinforcing rods extending through the paving block and projecting in overlying relation to the second flanges, whereby the projecting ends of the rods engage the first flanges of similar blocks to maintain the accurate desired spacing between adjacent paving blocks.
 3. The invention according to claim 1, in which the spacing elements are studs having collars engaging the body of the paving block with the studs extending over the second flanges and terminating short of the edges of the second flanges, and means to secure the studs and collars in position.
 4. The invention according to claim 3, in which the studs and collars are provided with a pin adapted to be driven into the body of the block to maintain the studs in proper spacing relation.
 5. The invention according to claim 4, in which the block is rectangular, and each flange has a thickness substantially half the thickness of the paving block.
 6. The invention according to claim 5, in which the paving block is square.
 7. The method of making a paving block pavement to obtain uniform spacing for accurate location with respect to substantially identical other paving blocks comprising forming a polygonal flat body having first flanges substantially flush with one surface of the body on adjacent edges around substantially half the periphery thereby forming first rabbets between the first flanges and the body, and having second flanges substantially flush with the other surface extending around substantially the other half of the periphery forming second rabbets between the second flanges and the body so that identical paving blocks may be placed in edge-to-edge relation with the flanges of one surface received in the rabbets formed by the flanges on the other surface overlying the flanges of the other surface, providing spacing spacing elements with pointed ends secured to and protruding outwardly from the body overlying the second flanges but of less protruding dimension than the width of the second flanges to engage the edges of the first flanges of an identical block to provide a uniform spacing between the body and the second flanges to be filled with sand or grout, the flanges providing for substantially abutting inner face to face contact to obtain a smooth upper surface in a patio paved with such paving blocks, and said pointed ends preventing obstruction by large particles between the points and the adjacent block when one block is positioned adjacent another block in proper spaced relation.
 8. The invention according to claim 7, in which the spacing elements are studs and include a collar and a projecting pin and are driven into position by a tool receiving the projecting stud so that the spacing element may be driven in accurate relation to provide a fixed spacing between the inner surface of the collar and the tip of the projecting stud.
 9. The invention according to claim 7 in which the paving block is made of concrete and the spacing elements are studs which are inserted into the concrete when the concrete is green and before the concrete completely hardens. 